Threats issued to man accused of sectarian murder, court is told

A MAN accused of the sectarian murder of a Catholic civil servant in Londonderry has had threats made against him, a court has been told.

Paul McCauley, a father-ofone, died on June 6, 2015, having spent nine years in a coma.

Mr McCauley was aged 29 when he sustained serious head injuries when he and a group of friends attending a barbecue at Chapel Road in the Waterside area of Derry were attacked by a loyalist gang on July 16, 2006.

Brian Matthew Gillen (30), whose address was given as Bonds Hill in the Waterside, appeared at a preliminary inquiry yesterday charged with murdering Mr McCauley.

When asked if he had anything to say in answer to the murder charge, the defendant replied: “No.”

Defence barrister Sean Do-

Attacked: Paul McCauley

herty told Derry Magistrates Court yesterday he accepted that the defendant had a prima facie case to answer.

Mr Doherty told District Judge Barney McElholm that the defendant, who currently lives and works in England, has had threats made against him.

The defendant was released on continuing bail to attend Belfast Crown Court for his arraignment on a date to be fixed.

He was released on his own bail of £750 together with a surety also of £750.

As part of his bail conditions he must reside at the Bonds Hill address or at an address in England approved by the PSNI.

He must also report to North Kent police station once a week.

Two other men have also been charged in relation to the murder.

A previous hearing in 2016 heard from a PSNI detective who said there was concern for Gillen’s safety after they became aware of death threats against him from a paramilitary organisation.

That court also heard the officer tell the court that the International Monitoring Commission had described the murder of Mr McCauley as an unsanctioned UDA attack.